Currently eyes of a boy, lips of a man By Nii Ayikwei Parkes see related

Time's Wingspan

I haven't blogged in over three months. Yowzers!

A lot has happened, including a wacky living situation with a wacky, passive-aggressive housemate. I resolved that situation by findin' an apartment to call my own. Yea!

I've progressed in terms of my volunteer work. Took a much-needed hiatus to set my mind right & get things sorted, then resumed activities and found m'self losing track of seconds, minutes, hours and days.

A sign of old age? Perhaps.

I reviewed the last four years of blog posts near/around my birthday to see what my former selves were thinkin'. I must admit, I was caught in a bubble of nostalgia and found m'self smilin' at promises, resolutions, observances I made during those times.

There's a ton to post, but I haven't the time for a proper re-cap. It'll most likely be in installments, or not at all. I haven't been much more creative lately, but I feel as if that's shiftin' a wee bit since movin' into my apartment. In fact, I've a story idea that I plan to put to paper before month's end.

Speakin' of, I signed up for NaNoWriMo, but knew before it started that I most likely wouldn't finish; too many irons in the fire, as they say.

One bright spot has been a project I've joined with a few other writers. Jacob Sam-La Rose started this solo project, then decided to add a few more time-jugglers to the mix. The result? A handful of folk who have more "side" gigs than time, I reckon.

His challenge was for us to blog each day about how we spent our day. It's meant to be both a time management analysis, as well as a check-in (reality check?). Most participants are outside the U.S., so their posts have been tricklin' in during my daytime hours. Pretty interestin' reads so far & I'm amazed at how much everyone crams into a short set of hours.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

I'll add my post to the mix, when I get home later tonight. I've a volunteer gig for a few hours after work & that's after an early start, due to an unplanned dental appt. Whee!

I'll probably go to sleep at/around midnight. Not bad for me it seems.

My "currently reading" selection is on my "must-have/read" list & I've done neither. Maybe you will.

Peace,

Moi

Currently The Wiz By Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King see related

The Write Stuff

I'm a bit behind in my blog reading & podcast listening, but I'm slowly catching up - phew!

Read a fabulous article: http://theswivet.blogspot.com/2008/11/guest-blogger-matthew-cheney-if-only-id.html and found m'self nodding along to several points.

This piece was advice to a younger self and I felt nostalgic reading it. I liken my childhood and youth to a Rubik's cube; several pieces of varying hues that look great put together, but just as great jumbled.

I began to think about adults in my life who encourged my curiosity, but especially my writing/storytelling skills. I talk a lot as an adult and constantly try not to overwhelm other adults with my babble. Perhaps I should write a letter to my younger self or, better still, write, write, write more and talk, talk, talk less.

Thanks to Matthew Cheney for the post and thanks to Colleen Lindsay for allowing Cheney to guest post on her blog, The Swivet. I recently discovered her blog, which was full of useful information to writers, regardless of genre. Huge thanks of course to Mur Lafferty, who linked to the post via her blog/podcast "I Should Be Writing". I listened to her podcast as she appeared on the podcast scene in 2005 and have been a fan ever since. Sure, a behind in listening fan, but a fan nevertheless.

My "currently watching" selection is a timeless fave of mine and one I viewed again, whilst hanging about in a park.

Peace,

Moi

Currently Angela's Ashes: A Memoir By Frank McCourt see related

July Is Hot

I'm stating the obvious, but I needed to distract myself from the building heat. I try to remind myself that three years ago, I endured temperatures that easily reached three digits and can therefore survive the high 90s.

But I can't. I don't like heat. I wilt and melt and grow crankier and crabbier. In the evening, as the nighttime brings cool air, I lick my wounds and smile brightly. Jekyll and Hyde caused by ol' man Summer.

Some things that act like aloe to my mental sunburn are the good aspects of my life to this point. I've had interesting convos that enriched my life. I've also found a new place to live, which eases my mind, even though I've got about a week in limbo. I'm progressing in alternative creative ways and plan to get back on track with my writing.

I've a few projects to clear, before I can fully commit time to my writing. Hopefully I'll post that those are done this time next month.

I'm currently house/pet-sitting and I'm always learning about the personalities of animals. I'm taking care of a Jack Russell Terror who's as stubborn as he is cute. We're starting to see eye-to-eye on a few things and I'm with him for another week.

Going to see my acupuncturist, because I feel a bit out of sorts. Afterwards, will rejuvenate even further in the company of a sweet & dear friend. Then, I'll be kickin' back with some puppy love - in the backyard, which is a bit cooler than some parts of town.

My "currently reading" selection is in memory of a wonderful writer. His memoir was one of the few books translated well into a film.

Peace,

Moi

Currently The Wrinkle in Time Quintet Boxed Set (A Wrinkle in Time, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters, An Acceptable Time) By Madeleine L'Engle see related

All in Fair Is Love

I didn’t follow-through on my Sunday writing block as planned. Instead, I played some games on-line, caught up with friends on-line, then scooted out to work on the Community Calendar audio & listings. My assessment of Sunday? It was fabulous!

I didn’t have much sleep last week, of my own choosing, so on Saturday it was quite the effort to pour myself out of bed to get ready for the Oregon Country Fair experience.

Strike that. Experience was an understatement.

I’m still mulling over the day to try and capture the feelings that swirled within me at the OCF, but I’m truly at a loss. All I can say to folk is “I had a lot of fun and ate good food.”

Still an understatement.

I discovered that the pictures on-line of the Fair cannot sum up the festive adventure, even in 1,000 words. There were gnomes, faeries, nymphs, humans and … unknowns commingling among a LOT of trees. Everyone kicked up dust (the kind that lingers even after walking in the rain), stomped their feet, clapped their hands, wiggled their fingers (thanks to Jason Webley), snapped their fingers and shook their hips to music within and without. Songs spanned the music genres from rockabilly to hip hop to country/folk/soul (thanks to The Sugar Beets) to an accordion-tribute of “Billie Jean” (Jason Webley et al.).

It was easy to describe, after all I just listed a few things, but not easy to recount the feelings of being among so many, feeling included in so much and not caring about anything, except having fun.

And enjoying the food. I did and wished I had more time.

Speakin’ of, I decided that it would be worth visiting the 3-day Fair over a couple of days. I couldn’t take it all in on Saturday and *almost* thought of visiting again on Sunday, but the 2-hour commute one-way and lack of sleep convinced me otherwise.

Still, I’ll be able to plan better for OCF 2010 and I’ll be there, or be square.

Or rectangle. Or triangle. Really, there didn’t seem to be any limits to how to BE.

And that made the 4-hour trip (not including the shuttle bus ride wait afterwards) worth the journey.

Oh! I met some lovely people to/from the Fair on the shuttle bus. I highly recommend the shuttle bus option, because it saves the parking fee and the 20-min. one-way journey through winding roads. Plus, you’ll cross paths for a few moments with absolutely fun creatures.

My “currently reading” selection is a fave & a timeless piece as well. As I arrived at the Fair and stepped off the shuttle bus, this novel (and a couple of others) popped into my mind.

Peace,

Moi

Currently The Essential Herbie Hancock By Herbie Hancock see related

Try & See the Upside

The Portland Upside, that is!

After quite a bit of blood, sweat and tears, well mostly blood from paper cuts, I finished my article and submitted it to The Portland Upside for consideration.

Drum roll please.

Hard copies of the newspaper will be available on Sunday, July 12th for anyone in the local area, or by mail subscription. However, the July issue is also available on-line here.

There are, as always, amazing articles written to capture slices of living compassionately and cooperatively. These aren't your typical feel-good stories, but you will most assuredly feel good after reading of the commitment made by seemingly ordinary folk to inspire extraordinary things.

Feel free to leave comments at the site for the editors/writers. Share your ideas, thoughts or feedback with them.

As my dear friend Omari would say, "Each one,teach one. Each one, reach one."

My "currently listening" selection works well as a musical backdrop while you read The Portland Upside. Show your support for a community publication with a subscription.

Peace,

Moi